In a striking call to action, the Social Democratic Front (SDF) has denounced Cameroon's long-standing birth certificate and national Identity card crisis as a dire violation of fundamental rights. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the SDF, convening on May 4th, 2024, in Yaoundé, issued a press release highlighting the grave repercussions of the government's failure to address this pressing issue, affecting millions of citizens across the nation.
"This alarming situation is a growing national security issue and is the direct consequence of 42 years of bad governance," stated the SDF's National Chairman, Hon Joshua Osih, emphasizing the severity and longevity of the crisis. With over a third of the Cameroonian population unable to access citizenship rights, including freedom of movement, education, healthcare, and employment, the SDF decries the dehumanizing mistreatment of fellow citizens.
The heart of the problem lies in an inconsistent public policy governing civil status and national ID issuance. Currently, multiple disjointed institutions, including Municipal Councils, courts, and the police, are involved in the process, leading to bureaucratic hurdles and financial burdens for citizens. The SDF condemns this policy and demands a streamlined, efficient system that respects citizens' rights.
In response to this crisis, the SDF presents a series of urgent calls to action:
The SDF urges the government to cancel contracts awarded to foreign private interests for the production of secure documents. Instead, they advocate for utilizing the national printing press, established for this purpose by former President Ahmadou Ahidjo, to ensure sovereignty and efficiency.
To facilitate inclusivity, especially in remote areas, the SDF proposes extending the time limit for issuing birth certificates from three months to six years. This adjustment aligns with the start of compulsory schooling and aims to prevent statelessness among citizens.
The SDF advocates for the institutionalization of simplified, mobile, localized, and continuous public audiences for civil status registration. By empowering Municipal Councils with comprehensive oversight, millions of stateless Cameroonians can be included in the citizenship framework.
The SDF's press release concludes with a resolute call for the government to prioritize addressing this crisis as a national imperative. It urges swift action to rectify the systemic failures that have perpetuated the marginalization of millions of citizens. As Cameroon stands at a crossroads, the SDF's impassioned plea echoes the collective cry for justice, equality, and dignity for all its people.
By Bakah Derick
Email: debakah2004@yahoo.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77